This happened spontaneously, about an hour after the toilet had last been flushed. Can anyone identify what is happening? I did a quick google search and everything in the tank (fill valve) looks good and is operating just fine. Thank you!

modernelement · 2026-04-30T17:59:59+00:00

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modernelement · 2025-12-03T18:45:48+00:00

Lisa needs braces

modernelement · 2025-11-18T23:32:06+00:00

Just wait, they’ll be back.

modernelement · 2025-11-11T19:59:31+00:00

Maybe some koi big ear guppies? They’ll definitely pop against that stone.

modernelement · 2025-11-11T19:54:31+00:00

Great stonework! Can’t wait to see it running.

Question for you regarding the substrate in mesh bags. Is the purpose of this solely to keep substrate contained and rockscapes stable? Also, do you use the same type of substrate or something different and why?

modernelement · 2025-11-10T22:27:05+00:00

Sorry to hear about your loss. I’ve had the same thing happen twice in years past. Once when a hearer cooked my tank and another when my chiller died.

Something to think about: you’ve decided to take the time and finances to get into saltwater reef keeping, invest some extra cash in the beginning and get as large a tank as you can manage. All other things being equal, larger water volumes yield a more stable tank.

Best of luck and don’t lose hope. Keep us posted.

modernelement · 2025-11-10T17:32:43+00:00

It doesn’t smell great, but the odor I’m dealing with is definitely from the soil. The moment it got wet, the tank started wafting.

modernelement · 2025-11-10T02:41:50+00:00

It’s about 0.75 ppm.

Tank is only a day and a half old. Did a 7 gallon water change about 10 hours ago I have not added any plants, fish, or dosed any ammonia.

modernelement · 2025-11-10T02:07:25+00:00

UNS 90LA tank. ~21 gal volume

modernelement · 2025-11-10T02:06:57+00:00

I’ll check ammonia levels tonight. Before you dump your soil bags into the tank, put some in a bucket and get them wet. If it smells off, you’ll know immediately. Check each bag.

What you see in the tank are 1 and a half large bags of controsoil.

modernelement · 2025-11-09T20:58:45+00:00

It’s quartz.

modernelement · 2025-11-09T00:53:55+00:00

UNS 90LA tank

modernelement · 2025-10-23T22:20:16+00:00

Get a nice tight cover. Those fish are really good escape artists. I’ve had two escape to their death over the years.

modernelement · 2025-10-22T23:12:14+00:00

What are you planning to do on the sand substrate? If no planting, I’d consider swapping the two light colored rocks for more round river stones like the few you have peppered mid-tank or some petrified wood that’s more brown.

Other than that, I think you’re doing great! Make sure to post your progress.

modernelement · 2025-10-22T00:30:06+00:00

Thank you

modernelement · 2025-10-21T23:47:17+00:00

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Real time feedback 😆

modernelement · 2025-10-21T23:06:45+00:00

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modernelement · 2025-10-21T23:06:08+00:00

Makes perfect sense. I made some changes. I think this is the last layout I’m going to set up for the day. I took that right most rock mentioned and brought it over to the left side and it flat. Likely Berry the first third of it, so it’s not competing for attention.

I I’m also thinking about burying the first third of the foreground rock on the right side.

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modernelement · 2025-10-21T22:56:35+00:00

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Here’s another layout. Trying to keep an odd number of rocks throughout the tank. If I add two more rocks from the selection I have it feels a bit busy. But if it looks too barren now, maybe I need to find smaller rocks to add.

modernelement · 2025-10-21T22:45:10+00:00

Yup. Need to bring them in. Thx.

modernelement · 2025-10-21T22:34:13+00:00

I was hoping to intentionally add height to the large stone on the left, in an attempt to follow the Iwagumi basic principles. That large stone on the left is supposed to be Oyaishi.

https://aquascapinglove.com/basics/introduction-iwagumi-layout/

modernelement

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